Associations work for international African Blackwood database

Pipe Bands Australia is working with international pipe band associations to develop a database of requirements and processes for players travelling with bagpipes containing African Blackwood.

An international working group was established during the Alliance of North American Pipe Band Association’s Summit in Kansas City this month attended by RSPBA vice-chairman John Hughes, RNZPBA president Alister Macgregor, South American association president Mike Flight and PBA president Chris Earl.

African Blackwood was added to the list of endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) from 2 January 2017.

The inclusion of African Blackwood on CITES was discussed at ANAPBA Summit where it was resolved to form an international working group to ascertain the application of CITES as it relates to African Blackwood in each jurisdiction and the processes required to be followed to enable our members to travel with their musical instrument to other countries.

PBA has written to Federal Minister for Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg seeking information that can be included on the database.

Chris wrote to the minister saying: “Our members and bands regularly travel overseas to perform in concerts and championships, including in New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia, North America and the United Kingdom.

“Bagpipe players have an increased level of trepidation in the early period of implementation of any requirements surrounding African Blackwood. When ivory was added to CITES some years ago, there were instances where bagpipes were confiscated by Customs due to that material being a component in the manufacture of some older instruments.

“Your early advice on the application of the ban any processes, including permits, either already implemented or to be implemented in allowing travel with bagpipes would be appreciated and communicated within the community of Pipe Bands Australia and other international associations.”